Brownie Chocolate Chip Cheesecake

The best thing about this cheesecake is that it's a no-bake cheesecake. Well, I guess you have to bake the brownies. But COME ON! Look at this! It's divine, delicious and indulgent. It's also pretty fancy, but doesn't require any skill...my kind of fancy. No brainer folks. You HAVE to make this!

For the Brownie Bottom:
* I usually just make my homemade brownie recipe and don't put all of it in, baking the rest in a small pan along side the actual dish. This also gives the kids a little something to snack on:) If you don't want to use a homemade brownie recipe, you can buy an 8x8 size box brownie according to the package and bake it in a 9in. springform cheesecake pan. Before you put the brownies in the oven, make sure you wrap the outside of the pan with tin foil so there isn't any issue with it dripping.

In a bowl, combine and stir until thickened:
3/4 cup cocoa
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/3 cup melted butter
1/2 cup boiling water

Add in order listed:
2 cups sugar
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1/3 cup melted butter
1 tsp vanilla

Then add:
1 1/3 cup flour
1/4 tsp salt

Stir in a little less than 1 cup of mini chocolate chips. Pour a little more than half into a greased springform pan. Pour the rest into another small, greased dish. Bake about 25 minutes at 350 degrees until the sides pull away from the pan or a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Your baking times may vary depending on your oven or baking dishes. Cool brownie base completely.

For the Cheesecake Top:
16oz. cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup heavy cream
1 Tbs powdered sugar
1 cup mini chocolate chips

Beat cream cheese in a mixer with sugar and vanilla until blended and very smooth.  Using a separate electric mixer with a whisk attachment, beat the heavy cream with the powdered sugar until soft peaks form. Fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture. Gently stir in the chocolate chips. Transfer the filling to the cooled brownie crust and spread it evenly.  Top with ganache.

For the Ganache Top:
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup heavy cream

Warm the cream in a small saucepan over medium heat. Once it boils, pour it over chocolate chips and let it sit for about 1 minute, then stir until chocolate is incorporated into the cream. Drizzle over cheesecake. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. Pop open the springform pan, releasing it from the bottom. Enjoy!!

Pumpkin Roll Bars

In celebration of the start of Fall, I made this cake. It’s a play on a pumpkin roll, but so much easier. It’s so moist and delicious. It can be eaten by itself, or with a dollop of fresh whipped cream.

I’ve kind of been obsessed with pumpkin lately, so there might be an influx of pumpkin desserts on here! It’s OK because everyone love a good, spicy, pumpkin dessert for fall, right?!

For the Cake:

6 T butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 (15 oz.) can pumpkin
1/4 cup water
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt


For the Cream Cheese Filling:

8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg


Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray. In a bowl, with an electric mixer on medium speed, beat butter and 1 1/2 cups sugar until smooth. Beat in 2 eggs, pumpkin, 1 teaspoon of vanilla and water until well blended.  In a separate bowl, mix flour, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, baking soda, baking powder, and salt; add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin/butter mixture and combine until well blended. Spread about 2/3 of the batter evenly into the prepared pan.

In a bowl, with an electric mixer on medium speed, beat cream cheese, 1 egg, 1/4 cup sugar, and ½ teaspoon of vanilla until smooth. Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over the pumpkin batter. Dollop the remaining pumpkin batter over the cream cheese batter and spread out as evenly as possible.  Use a butter knife to swirl together the cream cheese and top layer of pumpkin batter.  Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the center of the pumpkin batter springs back when touched. Cool completely in pan, then cut into bars and top with whipped cream if you desire. Enjoy!!

*From Six Sisters Stuff

Chocolate Raspberry Brownies

I got a request for these from Justin’s work. I’d never put raspberries with brownies, but they sure turned out delicious! I used my raspberry sauce from my Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake (recipe found here) and my Ultimate Brownies recipe to make the perfect combination! These are decadent and delicious!

For the Brownies:

In a bowl, combine and stir until thickened:
3/4 cup cocoa
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/3 cup melted butter
1/2 cup boiling water

Add in order listed:
2 cups sugar
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1/3 cup melted butter
1 tsp vanilla

Then add:
1 1/3 cups flour
1/4 tsp salt

Stir in a little less than 1 cup chocolate chips. (no more or brownies may fall apart when cut)
Pour into greased 9x13 inch cake pan. Bake 30-35 minutes in a 350 degree oven, or until brownies begin to pull away from sides or toothpick inserted comes out clean. Do not over bake. Cool in pan.

While the brownies are cooling make the raspberry sauce:

1 (10oz) package frozen raspberries
2 T sugar
3 t cornstarch
1/2 cup water

In a saucepan, combine raspberries, 2 T sugar, cornstarch and water. Bring to a boil, and continue boiling for 5 minutes or until sauce is thick. Strain sauce through a mesh strainer to remove seeds. Set aside to cool slightly.

While the raspberry sauce is cooling, make the ganache:

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup heavy whipping cream

Combine the two ingredients and microwave them in 20 second intervals, stirring in between, until you have a creamy ganache.

To Assemble:

After the brownies have cooled completely, pour on warm chocolate ganache. Spread evenly over brownies. Next, top with raspberry sauce, pouring evenly over brownies. Take a butter knife and gently swirl the ganache and raspberry sauce together. Cut and enjoy!!

Scotcheroo Bars

These are so easy and are sure to please anyone eating them. They are a quick dessert when you don’t have a lot of time. You can’t eat just one!!

1 cup sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1 1/2 cups peanut butter, creamy or chunky
6 cups rice krispies
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1 cup butterscotch chips

In a heavy saucepan add the sugar and corn syrup together.  Cook together until it starts to boil, stirring constantly.  Then remove from heat and stir in the peanut butter until it has melted and blended in well.  Have the six cups of rice krispies in a big mixing bowl.  Pour the warm peanut butter mixture over the cereal. Fold together until all of the rice krispies are covered. Press into a 9x13 inch pan that has been sprayed lightly with non stick cooking spray.
In a microwave safe bowl melt the milk chocolate chips and butterscotch chips together. (microwave for about 20 seconds, stir and then microwave for another 20 seconds) Stir until well blended and spread over the rice krispie mixture.  Let set up for about an hour and then ENJOY!
*From Six Sister Stuff

BYU Brownies

These are MY take on the BYU Brownie. I’m not much of a mint fan, but these are delicious! I use my homemade brownies with a mint buttercream, topped with a chocolate ganache. These are a total hit!

For the Brownie:

In a bowl, combine and stir until thickened: 3/4 cup cocoa
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/3 cup melted butter
1/2 cup boiling water

Add in order listed:
2 cups sugar
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1/3 cup melted butter
1 tsp vanilla

Then add:
1 1/3 cups flour
1/4 tsp salt

Stir in a little less than 1 cup chocolate chips. (no more or brownies may fall apart when cut)
Pour into greased 9x13 inch cake pan. Bake 30-35 minutes in a 350 degree oven, or until brownies begin to pull away from sides or toothpick inserted comes out clean. Do not over bake. Cool in pan.

For the Mint Icing:

5 Tbsp. margarine
dash of salt
3 Tbsp. milk
1 Tbsp. light corn syrup
2 1/3 c. powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. mint extract
1-2 drops green food coloring

Soften margarine. Add salt, corn syrup, and powdered sugar. Beat until smooth and fluffy. Add mint extract and food coloring. Mix. Add milk gradually until the consistency is a little thinner than cake frosting.
Spread mint icing over cooled brownies. Place brownies in the freezer for a short time to stiffen the icing. Remove from the freezer and add a layer of chocolate ganache.

Chocolate Ganache:

2 cups chocolate chips
4T heavy whipping cream

Combine together and put in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave in 20 second increments, stirring in between, until it’s smooth. Remove brownie pan from the freezer and pour on ganache. Allow ganache to cool and set and cut into squares. Enjoy!

*Icing from BYU Magazine

Snickerdoodle Brownies

I love a good Snickerdoodle. These just go beyond anything you’ve ever known about a Snickerdoodle! They ARE a brownie even though they’re not brown:) They are dense and chewy, with a crisp top. Nothing better. They were so easy and different, which I always love. Enjoy!

2 1/3 cup flour
1 1/4 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
3/4 cup butter, room temp
1 1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup + 3T brown sugar, divided
3 eggs
1 t vanilla
1 1/2 t cinnamon

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees, and grease the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish. In a bowl, combine the flour, salt and baking powder. Stir it together and set it aside.

In your mixing bowl, combine the butter, 1 1/4 c sugar, and the brown sugar. Mix together until creamy and smooth. Mix in 3 eggs, one at a time, and finally the vanilla. Whip until smooth and fluffy.

Mix in the flour mixture. It will be thick. Spread the dough into the baking dish.
In a another bowl, stir together the remaining 2 tablespoons of brown sugar and the cinnamon, and sprinkle it all over the top of the dough. Run a knife through the dough zig-zagging one end to the other. Bake for 25-30 minutes, and then cool completely before cutting, if you can stand it!

From * thefoodiearmywife.com

Banana Bars with Brown Butter Frosting

I always have over-ripe bananas. Does this only happen to me? I don’t eat the things anyway. The kids and hubby love them, but if I get an off batch…they are left to rot. So I’m always looking for new banana recipes. These are by far the best things I’ve ever made with bananas! The thing that makes them so delicious is the brown butter frosting. Sweet and a little salty, with a deep, dark flavor. DELICIOUS!! The frosting would be to die for on a cake – that might be my next adventure:)

So if you have over-ripe bananas, try these!! You won’t be disappointed!

Banana Bars:
1-1/2 c. sugar
1 c. sour cream
1/2 c. butter, softened
2 eggs
1-3/4 (3 or 4) ripe bananas, mashed
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 c. all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. salt

Brown Butter Frosting:
1/2 c. (1 stick) butter
4 c. powdered sugar
1-1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
3 tbsp. milk (I use buttermilk)

Heat oven to 375 degrees.  Grease and flour 15x10-inch jelly roll pan.  For the bars, in a large bowl, beat together sugar, sour cream, butter, and eggs until creamy.  Blend in bananas and vanilla extract.  Add flour, baking soda, salt, and blend for 1 minute. Spread batter evenly into pan.  Bake 17 to 22 minutes or until top springs back.

Meanwhile, for frosting, heat butter in a large saucepan over medium heat until boiling.  Let the butter turn a delicate brown and remove from heat immediately. Butter can go from browned to burnt VERY fast.

Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract and milk to the browned butter.  Whisk together until smooth (it should be thicker than a glaze but thinner than frosting).  Using a rubber spatula, spread the brown butter frosting over the warm bars (the frosting will be easier to spread while the bars are still warm).

*From Life’s Simple Measures

Homemade Twix Bars

Remember how I made that 6-Minute caramel? It has it’s purpose now – inside these Homemade Twix Bars.

I love a good Twix every once in a while, don’t you? And since finding this faster than fast caramel, they are beyond easy to make! Crumbly, light cookie crust with a chewy, gooey caramel, topped with delicious chocolate. You’ll love these!

Cookie Crust (recipe follows)

1 recipe Homemade 6-Minute Caramel (recipe found here)

2 cups chocolate chips (milk or semi-sweet, whichever you prefer)

Cookie Crust

1 cup butter, room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
1/2 t vanilla
2 T milk

Cream together your butter and sugar with a mixer until light and fluffy.In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.  Slowly add this to the butter mixture. Finally, at low speed, add in the milk and vanilla.

Line a 9x13 pan with parchment paper. Press the dough into the bottom of the pan. Cover and refrigerate until firm. Bake at 300 degrees for 20-30 minutes, turning the baking sheet half-way through baking. Remove and cool completely.

After crust has cooled completely, make the caramel and add it directly to the top of the crust. Let caramel completely cool and set.

Melt chocolate chips in 15 second intervals in the microwave, stirring in between. Top the caramel with the melted chocolate. Allow to completely cool by placing it in the fridge. After cookies are solid, they’ll just pop right out of the pan. Cut into squares and serve!! Enjoy!!

Ultimate Brownies

I’ve always looked for a homemade brownie recipe that will be just as scrumptious as the Ghiradelli Triple Chocolate mix that I get from Costco. In my opinion NOTHING compares. Till now. This is the first homemade brownie recipe that has a deep chocolate flavor and chewy inside. They are perfection. I've already made them 3 times and only found the recipe about 3 weeks ago. I did add my own frosting, because everything is always better with a chocolate cream cheese frosting, right? Feel free to top them with a chocolate buttercream or just a chocolate glaze. To be honest, they don’t need a topping. But…put the chocolate cream cheese frosting on there:)

In a bowl, combine and stir until thickened:
3/4 cup cocoa
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/3 cup melted butter
1/2 cup boiling water

Add in order listed:
2 cups sugar
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1/3 cup melted butter
1 tsp vanilla

Then add:
1 1/3 cups flour
1/4 tsp salt

Stir in a little less than 1 cup chocolate chips. (no more or brownies may fall apart when cut)

Pour into greased 9x13 inch cake pan. Bake 30-35 minutes in a 350 degree oven, or until brownies begin to pull away from sides or toothpick inserted comes out clean. Do not over bake. Cool in pan.

Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting:

1 (8oz) pkg cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened

3 heaping T cocoa powder

2 cups powdered sugar

2-3 T sour cream

Cream cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add cocoa powder and powdered sugar. Add sour cream to thin (you want the frosting to be creamier than an icing…and the sour cream adds just the right amount of creaminess without thinning it out.)

*Brownie recipe from stellabskitchen.com

Reese's Cheesecake Brownies

This is BY FAR the best thing I've ever made. I can't have these in the house or they're gone. I made them, tasted them and immediately sent them to my hubby's work because I KNEW I would eat the entire batch. I have to admit it. I have a severe weakness for these babies. They're just way too good. Make them, love them.

One 19.5-oz. box chocolate fudge brownie mix
One 8-oz. package cream cheese, softened
One 14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk
½ cup creamy peanut butter
12 oz. Reese’s Pieces candy
One 12-oz. bag milk chocolate chips
3 tablespoons whipping cream
12 large Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat a 9x13 pan with cooking spray.

Prepare the brownie mix according to package directions. Spread the batter in pan and set
aside. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with hand-held mixer until fluffy. Add condensed
milk and peanut butter and beat until smooth. Stir in the Reese’s Pieces candies. Spoon the
mixture over the batter. Spread evenly.

Bake for 40 minutes or until cheesecake layer is set and edges are golden brown. Cool for
30 minutes and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

In a small microwaveable bowl, microwave the chocolate chips and whipping cream for 1
minute, or until chips are melted. Stir until smooth. Spread over cheesecake layer. Sprinkle
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup pieces over top. Store covered in the refrigerator.

From Pip & Ebby

Creme Brulee Cheesecake Bars

I found these on bettycrocker.com and knew I needed to try them. Surprisingly they taste just like creme brulee! The toffee bits give them that crisp top layer just like it. I sent them to work with Justin and they were gone within 5 minutes. If you're in the mood for a simple, delicious, sophisticated dessert this is the one for you.

1 pouch Betty Crocker sugar cookie mix
1 small box french vanilla instant pudding mix
2 T packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 1/2 t vanilla, separated
2 eggs plus 3 egg yolks
2 packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup toffee bits, finely crushed

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray bottom and sides of a 9x13 pan with cooking spray. In a large bowl, stir cookie mix, pudding mix, brown sugar, melted butter, 1 teaspoon of the vanilla an 1 whole egg until a soft dough forms. Press dough in the bottom of the pan

With a mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth, scraping the sides. Add sour cream and sugar and beat on medium until really smooth. Add remaining whole egg, 3 egg yolks and remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla. Beat until smooth and spread over crust.

Bake 30-35 minutes or until center is set. Remove from oven and sprinkle with toffee bits. Place a cookie sheet over the top and let sit about 10 minutes. Remove cookie sheet and cool for 20 minutes. Refrigerate about 3 hours or until chilled. Cut into bars and serve. I like to let them sit out for at least 30 minutes before serving to take the chill off. I think they taste better that way:)

*From Betty Crocker.

Cinnamon Swirl Bread

I had some leftover buttermilk and found this delicious recipe. It's super easy and doesn't disappoint. A classic, yummy bread that you'll love!

2 c. flour
1/2 t baking soda
1 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
1/4 c. margarine
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 c. buttermilk
2 tsp. vanilla
3 T brown sugar
1 T cinnamon

Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, & salt. Set aside. Cream together margarine and sugar. Add the eggs. Alternately add dry ingredients and buttermilk to the margarine mixture. Start and end with dry ingredients. Add vanilla. Pour 1/2 the batter into a greased loaf pan. Mix together brown sugar and cinnamon & sprinkle over the batter. Top with the remaining batter. With a knife, make swirls through the batter. Top with a good sprinkling of brown sugar...just for good measure:) Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

*From Mandy's Recipe Box

Cheesecake Brownie Dessert

I made these for the Hubby to take to work. They're all conspiring to eliminate me cause they think I'm on a mission to fatten them up :) Well of course I am!! You can't eat just one of these - they are amazing. And they turn out perfect every time. Have you ever had the Ghiradelli Triple Chocolate brownie mix from Costco? I have and now I live by them. I've never had a better brownie - store bought or homemade. So I definitely recommend using this mix...you won't be disappointed.

1 box brownie mix - I use one package from the Ghiradelli economy box from Costco (oil, water and eggs as directed on box)
1 (80z) pkg cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 t vanilla
1 egg
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare brownie mix according to box directions. Pour brownie batter into prepared 9-inch square pan.

In another bowl beat cream cheese until light and creamy. Add sugar, vanilla and egg. Beat until very creamy. Drop by spoonfuls over the brownie batter and smooth until completely covering the brownie batter.

Bake approximately 35 minutes or until cream cheese layer is lightly brown. Remove from oven and immediately spread chocolate chips over top. Put back in oven for 1-2 minutes until chips are completely melted. Remove from oven and spread all over top until it's covered and smooth. Let cool completely. Store in fridge. Enjoy!!

*I usually double this to make a 9x13 pan to share with a lot of people.

Peanut Butter Truffle Brownies

These are the most perfect thing I've ever made. Period. The truffle filling is SO smooth and delicious. In my mind there is nothing better. You must try it. I got RAVE reviews. It's my new go-to recipe for brownies.

For the Brownies:

1 (18.3oz) box fudge brownie mix

Water, vegetable oil, and eggs as instructed on box

Filling:

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

2 cups powdered sugar

2 T milk

Topping:

1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

1/4 cup butter, cut into pieces

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease the bottom of a 9x13 cake pan. Make brownies according to box directions. Cool completely.

In a mixer, beat filling ingredients until smooth and fluffy. Spread over brownie base.

In a small microwavable bowl, place topping ingredients. Microwave on high for 30-60 seconds and stir till smooth (I do this on the stovetop on low.) Spread over filling. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes or until set. Cut and enjoy!! Store in refrigerator.

*From Betty Crocker

Snickerdoodle. Blondies

I love snickerdoodles. I always have. But it seems like so much trouble to make them! You can't just whip them up in a second and that bugs me. So I found these. They are DELICIOUS!! It's a snickerdoodle in a bar. Dare I say they are better than the actual cookie?? You basically make the dough, put it in a pan and then douse it in cinnamon sugar. They were SO scrumptious that they left us all wishing I would have doubled the recipe...so that would be my only suggestion...DOUBLE IT!!! You will regret it if you don't!

1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1/4 t salt
1 egg
1 1/2 t vanilla
1 cup flour
1 T sugar + 1 t ground cinnamon (I doubled this also...you want it good and covered in sugar:))

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with aluminum foil (I just sprayed it with cooking spray...they popped right out after I baked them.)

In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in salt, egg and vanilla until well combined. Add in flour and stir until no streaks of dry ingredients remain. Pour dough – it will be thick – into prepared baking dish and smooth it into an even layer.
Stir together remaining 1 tbsp sugar and 1 tsp ground cinnamon. Sprinkle dough evenly with cinnamon sugar mixture.
Bake for about 30 minutes, until bars are set and the edges are just very lightly browned. Cool in the pan before slicing.

*From Baking Bites

Chocolate Cream Cheese Toffee Bars

I saw these when I was watching the Food Network and knew I needed to make them! They are so easy because you use already prepared everything pretty much. In the original recipe she used only 2 toffee bars, but I upped it to 4 because it didn't seem like enough. She also used toasted almonds on top, but we're not much of the nut type, so I left them out. These are absolutely divine! I think it's my new favorite dessert by far. The proportions are so perfect...with the cream cheese, chocolate and cookie. The toffee bar is so perfectly crunchy too!! LOVE THEM!!

1 pound refrigerated sugar cookie dough
4 toffee bars, chopped (I used Heath bars)
1/2 t vanilla
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 (8oz) cream cheese, room temperature

Position an oven rack in the middle of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Spray a 8x8-inch nonstick baking pan with vegetable cooking spray. Lay a 6 by 18-inch piece of parchment paper in the pan, allowing the excess paper to overhang the sides. Spray the parchment paper lightly with cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, combine the cookie dough, 1/2 of the chopped chocolate-toffee candy pieces and vanilla extract. Using damp fingers, gently press the dough into the prepared pan. Using the tines of a fork, prick the dough all over. Bake for about 20 minutes until the crust is lightly browned. Cool for 15 minutes.

Place the chocolate chip in a medium bowl. Place the bowl over a pan of simmering water and stir until the chocolate has melted. Cool the chocolate mixture for 10 minutes. Whisk in the cream cheese until the mixture is smooth. Using a spatula, spread the chocolate mixture over the cooled crust. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate-toffee candy pieces over the chocolate mixture. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours until the chocolate layer is firm.

Peel off the parchment paper and cut into 1 1/2 by 2-inch bars. Serve at room temperature.

*From the Food Network

Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake Bars

Sorry I've been posting so many desserts! My mom has been here since the baby and has been taking care of all the dinners :) I couldn't be more grateful! I found these on Tasty Kitchen and knew that I needed to make them just for the fact that they had peanut butter cups in them. I can NEVER pass something up with a peanut butter cup in it!! The cheesecake part is super creamy and delicious. In the original recipe she used a graham cracker crust, but whenever I make any sort of cheesecake I use crushed up Chocolate Oreo Cookies. You should definitely try these!

15 Chocolate Oreo Cookies, crushed
5 T butter, melted
2 (8oz) packages cream cheese, softened
2/3 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1/4 cup sour cream
1 t vanilla
12-14 whole Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, cut into 6 pieces each

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

Prepare an 8-inch square baking pan by lining the pan with aluminum foil, leaving 3-4 inches of foil draping over the sides of the pan.

The crust:

Mix Oreo cookies and melted butter in a bowl. Press into the bottom of prepared pan.

The filling:

In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until it is very smooth, about 3 minutes. Scrape the beaters and sides of bowl frequently. Gradually beat in granulated sugar until the mixture is combined, about 1 minute. Beat in eggs, one a time, making sure that each is fully incorporated. Beat in sour cream and vanilla extract until fully combined, about 30 seconds.

Unwrap and cut 12 Reese’s peanut butter cups into 6 pieces. Gently fold into the cream cheese mixture. Scrape the cream cheese mixture into the baking pan, over the top of crust. Spread evenly. Sprinkle over top 2 more peanut butter cups.

Bake until the edges are set but the middle still jiggles slightly when the pan is shaken slightly, about 35 to 40 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through baking. Turn off oven and leave inside for at least 30 minutes to an hour.

Remove from oven and place the pan on a cooling rack and allow the bars to cool for 1-2 hours. Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, and up to 24 hours.

Using the overhanging foil, lift the bars from the pan. Gently remove the foil and cut into 16 bars.

If you like, you can melt some chocolate to drizzle over the top of the bars for a little added dazzle!

*From Tasty Kitchen

Fudge Revel Bars

Very easy and perfect warm straight out of the oven with a scoop of ice cream on top! I ended up doing it in a 9x13 pan and it turned out perfect. If you want a thinner cookie bar, do them in a sheetcake pan.

1 cup butter, plus 1 T divided
2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
2 t vanilla
1 1/2 t salt, divided
1 t baking soda
2 1/2 cup flour
3 cups quick oats
1 (14 oz can) sweetened condensed milk
1 (12 oz) bag milk chocolate chips

Cream together 1 cup of butter, brown sugar, and eggs. Add the vanilla. Add 1 teaspoon salt, baking soda, and flour. Mix. Add oats and mix well. Press 2/3 of the dough into a greased cookie sheet.

Put sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter, and 1/2 teaspoon salt into a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 1 minute and stir. Keep cooking at 30-second increments and stirring until melted (I did this on the stove in a saucepan.) Pour over the dough and spread out. Sprinkle the rest of the dough over the fudge.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

*From Tasty Kitchen

Candy Cane Brownie Bites

Such and great Holiday treat!

1 9x13 brownie mix
20 Candy Cane Hersey Kisses
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 T heavy cream
5 original candy canes crushed

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare brownie mix according to package directions and scoop into mini muffin tin that has been generously sprayed with non-stick spray about 3/4 way full. Press kisses into the center of the brownie batter, but not all the way to the bottom, some of the tip should stick out the top. Bake for 15 minutes or until cooked all the way through. Let cool completely.

Melt chocolate until melted and stir in cream until creamy and smooth. Dip tops of brownies in chocolate and then in crushed candy canes. Enjoy!

*From Picky Palate.

Chocolate Caramel Brownies

1 box devil's food cake mix

1/2 cup butter, melted

1 cup evaporated milk, divided

35 light caramels (about 10 oz), unwrapped

1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine cake mix and butter. Stir it 2/3 cup evaporated milk (batter will be very thick). Spread half of the batter into greased 9by13 pan. Bake 15 minutes.

In a small saucepan, combine caramels and remaining 1/3 cup evaporated milk. Stir over low heat until caramels are melted. Sprinkle chocolate chips over the baked layer and then drizzle caramel mixture over top. Drop remaining batter by teaspoon-fulls over caramel mixture. Return to oven for 20 minutes (top layer will be soft). Cool completely before cutting into bars.

Very ooey-gooey and delicious!

*From Cookie Collection cookbook.